Below Zero (Joe Pickett Series #9) Book

I know Below Zero is not CJ Box's latest novel, but it is the latest one I've read and I am just as riveted as I was with all the rest. Joe Pickett and his family, Marybeth, Sheridan and Lucy, continue to burrow into the hearts of CJ's readers. Joe, a Wyoming game warden who often finds himself on the disgruntled side of either the director of the Wyoming Game and Fish, the Wyoming governor, one or more county sheriffs, or his wife, finds he must take a leave of absence to investigate text messages Sheridan is receiving from someone calling herself April. We, CJ Box's loyal readers, believe that April, their adopted daughter, was killed six years before in Winterkill. We are immediately pulled into the story because we, along with Joe and Sheridan, can hardly breathe at the thought that April might be alive and is reaching out for help. We have no choice but to force ourselves into the truck with the two of them as father and oldest daughter head off 'despite Marybeth's concern for Sheridan's safety, and Lucy's anger at not being included'to find and save April and bring her home.

Being busy with my own writing and research, I usually find it difficult to hold my attention to a story I'm reading, no matter the author. With Below Zero (or anything CJ Box writes) I have a hard time leaving it to return to my own work. He keeps me engaged and rooting for the heroes, often as in the westerns and mysteries of old, wanting to yell out, "Look out behind you!" or "Quick! Hide!" There are times I want to punch someone in the nose, or worse. Sometimes that someone is Joe Pickett himself when he doesn't see the obvious. Of course we can't forget about Nate Romanowski.
A Joe Pickett adventure would not be complete without the .454 Casull-carrying falconer and fugitive who is determined to do whatever it takes, legal or not, to protect the Pickett family.

I am writing this review before finishing Below Zero because, frankly, I don't want to inadvertently give the ending away. Do Joe and Sheridan find the girl claiming to be April, alive and unhurt? Is she April? If so where has she been for six years? Why hasn't she made contact earlier? What unlawful act does Nate Romanowski commit in the name of the Pickett family's friendship? Do we remember why Nate feels he owes Joe his lifelong gratitude?

CJ Box keeps the stories going, book to book, year to year. I can't wait to watch Sheridan turn into an adult. What further tribulations do she and Lucy have down the road? CJ, don't ever quite writing while I'm still around.